Desert Pines safety Leon Hayes commits to UTEP

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Desert Pines High senior safety Leon Hayes became the first local from the class of 2012 to verbally commit to a Division I football program when he selected UTEP this week.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Hayes took a recruiting trip last weekend to the school, where he was recruited by defensive coordinator Andre Patterson. Patterson’s son, A.C. Patterson, played on Bishop Gorman’s last two state title teams and is currently in his first season with the UTEP program.

“They are getting a hard worker,” Desert Pines coach Paul Bennett said. “The kid committed himself to getting better over the winter. One of the knocks on him was his speed. But he has shown this year that when he gets out there, nobody can catch him. I’m very proud of him.”

Hayes doubles at running back, rushing for 865 yards and nine touchdowns in eight games. While he was being recruited by a few other schools, UTEP was the lone to offer him a scholarship.

Desert Pines has sent a player to the Division I ranks the last three years.

Commitments aren’t official until national signing day in early February.